Ronald Wayne Leavitt

Ron Leavitt

Monroe, Utah

Ronald Wayne Leavitt, 76, passed away peacefully, at his home in Monroe, surrounded by family on Sunday, March 24, 2013. Ron had many physical trials over the years, but he was a wonderful example of how to endure to the end.

Ron was born December 11, 1936 in St. George to Lemuel Glen and Florence McArthur Leavitt. He grew up in St. George and was a member of the Dixie High class of ‘54. He served in the US Army in Zweibrucken, Germany where he met his sweetheart, Gerlinde Helfrich. They married November 2, 1961 in Germany and in 1962 moved to the United States, settling in his hometown of St. George. They were later sealed in the St. George LDS Temple and were blessed with five children. Gerlinde preceded him in death March 13, 2010.

Ron was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings including Primary teacher, Elder’s Quorum presidency, Sunday School teacher, home teacher and Manti Temple worker. His latest calling was Church indexer and he truly enjoyed this calling and excelled at it. He was a generous man and was described as "the salt of the earth".

Ron loved any kind of machinery and spent many hours working on his (or someone else’s) semi-truck, pickups, or cars. He worked as a farm hand, machinery operator, and prison guard, but he bought a truck,"Old Blue" and driving truck became his passion. He loved going new places and seeing the country. He also loved poetry, crossword puzzles, and reading good books. He was great at making friends and many hours were spent visiting with them. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his children: Walter Glen (Shauna), Richfield; Ilona "Loney" (Dana) Lundgreen, Linette (Calvin) Christensen; Wayne Edward (Larisa) and Thomas Edgar (Tori), all Monroe; 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren with 1 more on the way; siblings: Lloyd (Ruth) Leavitt, Veyo; Laura (Bob) Nowers, Richfield; Carol (Doug) Gubler, Davis; CA: Robert (Virginia) Leavitt, Pierce City, MO; in-laws: Carol Leavitt, Phelan, CA; Earlene Leavitt, Salt Lake City; Dale (Daylene) Ure, Washington; Christel Helfrich, Mittelbach, Germany; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Also preceded in death by parents; grandson, Sean Leavitt; brothers: Bruce and Andrew Leavitt; sister, Susan Ure; parents-in-law: Walter and Luise Helfrich; brother-in-law, Edgar Helfrich.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. in the Monroe 1 ^st LDS Ward Chapel, 50 East 200 North. Friends may call at the Magleby Mortuary in Richfield, Friday from 6-8 p.m. and at the ward chapel in Monroe, Saturday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Burial will be in the Monroe City Cemetery with military rites by the Monroe American Legion, Post #37 and the Utah Honor Guard. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.

"KEEP ON TRUCKIN" PA